SGS

The Southern California Carnival Glass Club celebrated their 50th anniversary at their 2017 Convention, which took place March 8-11, and they do know how to celebrate!

On Friday, March 10, SGS members Kitty and Russell Umbraco did a program on “Carnival Glass with a Stretch Finish." Remember that basically, carnival glass is patterned pressed iridescent glass.  Basically, stretch glass is without much of a pattern (if any), pressed iridescent glass which is re-fired to create a stretch (contraction of the metallic salts finish that looks like an “onion skin”) finish.  The stretch finish can be on purpose or by accident.  Here are some photos of the stunning display they shared as part of their program -- click on a photo to enlarge it.

Left:  Darlene had the Emerald Green Homestead Plate (the upper plate) that glowed and the stretch finish was very apparent.

Right:  Keith and Ogie have a beautiful Homestead plate with a stretch finish.

Left:  John is carefully looking over a celeste blue Butter Ball Server.

Right:  Gary is showing off a beautiful Quilted Diamond Dolphin Compote.

Left:  Scott has a wonderful display of charcoal vases.  Yes, they do show off their iridescence in the dark.  Some of his vases have a stretch finish.

Right:  For once, we decided to do a strictly carnival glass display (no stretch glass).  We always have enjoyed the rich iridescence on the Ribbon Tie Bowls plus they are very reasonable.

Left:  Tom had the patterned Cornucopia #950 Fenton Candlesticks on his table.  Does anyone have a Cornucopia candlestick in any colors besides Persian Pearl (white) or Aquamarine (ice blue)?  Tom was so good as to tell us the history of some of our better pieces.

Right:  Judith said that when she found this Fenton Dolphin Compote it had apricot paint on the dolphins and the rim.  She soaked it in a very weak solution of vinegar and water for days before the paint came off.  Do not use paint remover of any kind because you may damage the iridescence as well as the paint!!!

Left:  Jeff (President of the Southern California Carnival Glass Club) likes his JACKS (Jack in the Pulpit) Vases.

Right (and below):  Melody and Gary invited us over to their house to view their wonderful carnival and stretch glass collection.  They had the “Taco Man” (I think that was his title) over to cater dinner for us.  All we can say is, not sure which we liked more – the tacos or looking at their collection, but we didn’t have to choose!!!

Left:  Aren’t all of the stretch candlesticks striking in this backlit display?

Right:  The plain red stretch low bowl is breath taking in the silver bride’s basket!